Angular velocity sensor

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor for detecting angular velocity acting in the horizontal direction, or in the direction of yaw, and more particularly, to a sensor which responds neither to gravitational acceleration corresponding to inclination in the direction of roll nor to acceleration acting in the direction of yaw.

[0002] In the gas rate sensor disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 29858/1991, heat wires (heat-sensitive resistive elements), a gas passage, a nozzle, and other components are photoengraved in semiconductor substrates by semiconductor fabrication techniques. A gas flow is created by a piezoelectric pump composed of a piezoelectric device. Variations in the resistance values of the heat wires caused by deflection of the gas flow striking the heat wires are detected and indicate the angular velocity acting on the sensor in the horizontal or yaw direction.

[0003] Since the prior art gas rate sensor makes use of photoengraving techniques of semiconductor fabrication processes, the sensor can be made small in size. Also, the heat-sensitive characteristics differ only slightly between the heat wires. Hence, this kind of sensor is adapted for mass production. In addition, the sensor is excellent at detecting angular velocities. However, in the prior art sensor, the heat wires are spaced close together to make the sensor small, utilizing photoengraving techniques of semiconductor fabrication. Therefore, the sensitivity with which temperature is detected decreases.

[0004] Accordingly, a pressurized heavy gas is sealed in the sensor to prevent the sensitivity from deteriorating, and a large temperature distribution gradient is created between the heat wires. In this way, sensitivity is improved.

[0005] However, where pressurized heavy gas is used, unwanted gravitational acceleration corresponding to inclination in the direction of roll and even acceleration acting in the direction of yaw are detected, in addition to the required angular velocity in the horizontal or yaw direction.

[0006] Especially, where the sensor is installed on a vehicle and rotates while tilting, the output from the prior art gas rate sensor is the resultant of (1) angular velocity in the direction of gyration, (2) gravitational acceleration (G) corresponding to inclination, and (3) acceleration in the horizontal or yaw direction. Consequently, angular velocity cannot be detected precisely.

[0007] JP-A-5052862 discloses an angular velocity sensor in which a pump is driven so that the flow rate of gas contacting heat wires of the sensor always gives a prescribed value.

[0008] US-A-3 631 729 discloses an angular velocity sensor. A heater is employed to cause temperature differences between the fluid jet and its surroundings in order to reduce sensitivity to gravity.

[0009] According to the present invention there is provided an angular velocity sensor comprising:

a sensor body equipped with a pair of heat-generating heat-sensitive resistive elements disposed in a gas passageway in opposed relation to each other;

a pump for creating a gas flow inside said gas passageway; and

detection means for producing an output signal in response to variations in resistances of said heat-sensitive elements caused by deflection of said gas flow if an angular velocity acts on said detection means ,

characterised by

pump control means adapted to adjust said gas flow in such a way that said detection means produces a zero value of said output signal in respect of gravitational acceleration acting on the sensor and corresponding to tilt of the sensor in the direction of roll, wherein said pump control means comprises:

comparison means for comparing an acceleration signal component of said output signal produced from said detecting means with a reference acceleration and for producing a difference signal;

pump voltage setting means for storing voltage values for correcting a pump voltage corresponding to said difference signal for driving said pump, and

pump voltage output means for outputting a voltage correcting value corresponding to said difference signal to said pump,

said pump control means (21) controlling the operation of said pump based on said voltage correcting value and automatically setting said pump voltage to such a value that said acceleration signal component produced by said detection means becomes null on initial setting or resetting; wherein said pump control means is adapted to produce a gas flow rate for causing said zero value of said output signal by said detection means by positioning said sensor body tilted at an angle to horizontal form a normal operating position of said sensor body and, while said sensor body is at rest, varying said gas flow to produce a zero value of said output signal. The sensor body may comprise semiconductor substrates on which a pair of heat-generating heat-sensitive resistive elements are photoengraved by semiconductor fabrication technology. The heat-sensitive elements may be formed on a substrate bridge. The sensor body forms a pump casing in which a gas passageway is formed, with the pump preferably mounted in the pump casing. The sensor body may be mounted within a container sealed with a preferably pressurized gas therein, with the gas circulating through the passageway and container. The pump control means controls the operation of the pump to adjust the gas flow rate, so that only the angular velocity acting in the direction of yaw is detected. In particular, variations in the resistances of the heat-sensitive elements caused by deflection of the gas flow are electrically detected. Thus, the angular velocity acting in the direction of yaw can be detected with high accuracy.

[0010] In a preferred feature of the present invention, a resistive bridge circuit comprises the aforementioned heat-generating heat-sensitive resistive elements, together with a pair of reference resistors. The angular velocity in the direction of yaw can be detected with high sensitivity in terms of an electrical amount corresponding to the sum of the amounts of change of the resistances of the heat-sensitive elements.

[0011] As described above, the sensor body may be fabricated by photoengraving techniques which are normally used in semiconductor fabrication processes. Also, a resistive bridge circuit is preferably provided. Therefore, the resistances in the sensor body can be set to desired values accurately and placed in position accurately. The characteristics of the two heat-sensitive elements can be matched well. Furthermore, the angular velocity in the direction of yaw can be detected with high sensitivity by the resistive bridge circuit.

[0012] In addition, the pump control means is provided which controls the pump to adjust the gas flow rate. Consequently, the gas flow rate can be set to such a value that only the angular velocity in the direction of yaw is detected.

[0013] Accordingly, the present invention solves the problem with the prior art gas rate sensor. That is, the prior art sensor detects unwanted gravitational acceleration corresponding to tilt in the direction of roll and unwanted acceleration in the direction of yaw, in addition to angular velocity in the direction of yaw. A gas rate sensor acting to detect only an angular velocity in the direction of yaw with high sensitivity and with high accuracy can be accomplished according to the present invention.

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one main portion of a sensor according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of main portions of a sensor according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating gas flow P_F in a sensor according to the invention and thermal convection around heat-generating heat-sensitive resistive elements, and in which the rate of gas flow is small;

Fig. 4 is a diagram similar to Fig. 3, but in which the rate of gas flow is large;

Fig. 5 is a graph illustrating the relation of the output V_o from a resistive bridge circuit in a sensor according to the invention to gas flow P_F;

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of main portions of a detection means and a pump control means incorporated in a sensor according to the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a graph illustrating the characteristic of a sensor according to the invention, the sensor using a pump control means.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one main portion of an angular velocity sensor embodying the concept of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of other main portions of the sensor.

[0016] The sensor is generally indicated by reference numeral 1 in Fig. 1 and comprises a sensor body 2, a container 14 in which the sensor body 2 is housed, a detection means 20 (Fig. 2), and a pump control means 21 (Fig. 2). The sensor body 2 includes a lower semiconductor substrate 3, an upper semiconductor substrate (not shown), and a piezoelectric pump 11 consisting of a piezoelectric device 140. The upper and lower substrates are in intimate contact with each other to form a semiconductor casing. A gas such as nitrogen gas is sealed in the container 14.

[0017] Referring to Fig. 1, the lower semiconductor substrate 3 is fabricated by forming an entrance port 4, a nozzle 5, a gas passageway 6, a substrate bridge 7, and a discharge port 8 in a silicon wafer, for example by photoengraving techniques for semiconductor fabrication processes. The upper semiconductor substrate (not shown) is provided with similar spaces at positions corresponding to the entrance port 4, the nozzle 5, the gas passageway 6, and the discharge port 8, excluding the portion corresponding to the substrate bridge 7.

[0018] Heat-generating heat-sensitive resistive elements 9 and 10 are formed by depositing platinum, tungsten, or other metal material on the substrate bridge 7 in the lower semiconductor substrate 3 and etching desired patterns into the metallization layer. Pads 15-18 used for connection with an external circuit are mounted to both ends of the resistive heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10.

[0019] The heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 are placed opposite to each other on the same plane of the substrate bridge 7, and the upper semiconductor substrate (not shown) is coupled to the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 to form the sensor body 2. The heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 are located in the centre of the gas passageway 6 in the height direction, the gas passageway 6 being formed by the upper and lower semiconductor substrates.

[0020] The nozzle 5 is formed by etching a thin groove in the surface of the lower semiconductor substrate 3 and in the surface of the upper semiconductor substrate. A gas flow created by the piezoelectric pump 11 is restricted into a thin gas flow PF by the nozzle 5. The gas flow PF passes across the midway point between the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 which are positioned opposite to each other on the substrate bridge 7.

[0021] The piezoelectric pump 11 is fabricated by holding both top and bottom ends of a diaphragm 13 inside a pump casing 12 and sticking the piezoelectric device 140 on both side surfaces of the diaphragm 13.

[0022] When a voltage is applied across the piezoelectric device 140, vibrations corresponding to the voltage are produced. The vibrations are transmitted to the gas such as nitrogen via the diaphragm 13, thus producing the gas flow.

[0023] The gas flow generated by the piezoelectric pump 11 is supplied through the entrance port 4 into the casing formed by both semiconductor substrates. The supplied gas is converted into a thin cylindrical gas flow P_F by the nozzle 5. Thus, the gas is supplied along the centre in the space between the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10.

[0024] On reaching the discharge port 8, the gas flow P_F is fed back to the pump casing 12 via the container 14. The entrance and discharge ports 2,8 may open directly to the inside of the container 14 or may communicate with it via intermediate elements, such as a back pressure inhibit box connected via a conduit to port 8. It would also be possible to connect the two ports directly via a conduit.

[0025] The piezoelectric pump 11 may be replaced by a pump using an axial fan. The pump need not be mounted within the sensor body, but could be connected to the entrance port 4 via a conduit, with perhaps a ripple inhibit box between the pump and port.

[0026] Referring now to Fig. 2, the detection means 20 has a memory consisting of, for example, a ROM. A power supply portion 22 (e.g. a current source I₀) activates resistors R1 and R2 included in the resistive heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10, respectively. The detection means 20 receives a voltage V1 (= R1*I_o) developed across the resistor R1 and a voltage V2 (= R2 *I_o) developed across the resistor R2 which vary according to the deflection of gas flow caused by an angular velocity in the horizontal direction (i.e. in the direction of yaw), and delivers a signal ω₀ indicating a previously stored angular velocity in response to the output difference (V1-V2).

[0027] The pump control means 21 acts to set or reset the gas flow in the sensor so as to nullify the influence of acceleration (G) in the direction of roll (i.e. tilt from the vertical direction) on the sensed voltages V1 and V2. The pump control means 21 is composed of a comparator portion, a pump voltage output portion, a pump voltage setting portion, and other portions. To obtain the correct gas flow for nullifying unwanted acceleration effects, the pump control means 21 controls the supply of pump voltage V_P and so the gas flow P_F created by the piezoelectric pump 11 so that when the sensor is tilted in the roll direction, the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 dissipate equal amounts of heat and an acceleration signal G₀ from the detection means 20 assumes a value of 0. The amount of heat dissipated means the amount of heat carried away (or amount of cooling) from the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 by the gas flow P_F.

[0028] The pump control means 21 is started in such a way that when the sensor 1 is first set or reset, the sensor body 2 assumes a vertical posture (e.g. with element 9 upwards of element 10). For example, the pump control means 21 is started in response to switching information S_W from an external setting switch or the like.

[0029] Since the sensor 1 detects only the angular velocity ω₀ in the horizontal or yaw direction, the pump control means 21 is not required to be readjusted except when the pump driving voltage V_P is first set or reset.

[0030] The operation of the sensor 1 will now be described. When the sensor body 2 is in a horizontal attitude and at rest, the pump control means 21 applies the pump voltage Vp to drive the piezoelectric pump 11. The gas flow P_F of nitrogen created by the piezoelectric pump 11 passes through the nozzle 5 and the gas passageway 6. Then, the gas flows through the centre of the spacing between the heat sensitive elements 9 and 10 and strikes them uniformly.

[0031] The heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 are supplied with electrical current I₀ from the power supply portion 22 and generate heat, so that the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 are heated to a high temperature. If the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 are designed to have the same characteristics, the amount of heat and the amount of heat dissipated by the gas flow P_F do not differ between these two heat-sensitive elements, and so the resistors R1 and R2 have the same resistance value.

[0032] The resistances of the resistors R1 and R2 of the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10, respectively, have a positive temperature coefficient. That is, as the temperature rises, their resistance increases. When at rest the heat-sensitive element outputs V1 and V2 are equal (V1 = V2), and the output difference (V1 - V2) applied to the detection means 20 is zero. Also, the angular velocity signal ω₀ from the detection means 20 is zero. Hence, no angular velocity is detected.

[0033] Under this condition, if the piezoelectric pump 11 is rotated horizontally (e.g. to the right with respect to the gas flow P_F) about its rear side at a given angular velocity, then the gas flow P_F is deflected from the position located midway between the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 toward the heat-sensitive element 10 by the action of the angular velocity. The heat-sensitive element 10 experiences stronger gas flow P_F and dissipates a larger amount of heat, while the heat-sensitive element 9 undergoes weaker gas flow P_F and dissipates a smaller amount of heat. In consequence, the resistance of the resistor R2 decreases, whereas the resistance of the resistor R1 increases.

[0034] Therefore, the heat-sensitive element output V1 increases but the heat-sensitive element output V2 decreases (V1 > V2). The output difference (V1 - V2) applied to the detection means 20 assumes a positive value, so that the detection means 20 produces an angular velocity signal ω_o corresponding to the output difference (V1 - V2).

[0035] Conversely, if the sensor body 2 rotates to the left at a given angular velocity, the gas flow P_F is deflected toward the heat-sensitive element 9, the resistance of the resistor R1 decreases, and the resistance of the resistor R2 increases (V1 < V2). The output difference (V1 - V2) applied to the detection means 20 becomes negative. The detection means 20 produces the angular velocity signal ωo corresponding to the output difference (V1 - V2).

[0036] In this way, the direction of gyration (i.e. the direction in which the angular velocity is generated) can be known from the sign of the output difference (V1 - V2), and the magnitude of the angular velocity can be determined from the absolute value of the output difference (V1 - V2).

[0037] It is assumed that the detection means produces output V₀ in response to the gas flow P_F when the sensor body 2 of the gas rate sensor 1 is in a vertical attitude (e.g. the heat sensitive element 9 faces upward) and at rest.

[0038] Fig. 3 illustrates the gas flow P_F in the sensor and the thermal convection around the heat-generating heat-sensitive resistive elements when the sensor is tilted. In Fig. 3, it is assumed that the gas flow P_F is small. Heat generated by the heat sensitive elements 9 and 10 flows in the (upward) direction opposite to the direction of action of the gravitational acceleration (G). Therefore, the heat-sensitive element 9 is heated to a higher temperature than the heat-sensitive element 10. The resistance of the resistor R1 increases, while the resistance of the resistor R2 decreases (R1 > R2). This causes an unwanted error in the sensor, when detecting yaw angular velocity.

[0039] Fig. 4 illustrates the same situation as in Fig. 3, except that the gas flow P_F is large. In this case, the convective flow from the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10 is the same as in the case of Fig. 3. However, the gas flow P_F tends to be shifted toward the heat-sensitive element 9, or upward, as the gas flow P_F increases, and so the amount of heat dissipated by the heat-sensitive element 9 increases gradually.

[0040] If the gas flow P_F is set to a given gas flow rate P_F0 at which the amount of heat dissipated from the heat-sensitive element 9 is equal to the amount of heat dissipated from the heat-sensitive element 10, then the resistance R1 of the heat-sensitive element 9 is equal to the resistance R2 of the heat-sensitive element 10 (R1 = R2).

[0041] If the gas flow P_F is increased further (P_F > P_F0), then the amount of heat dissipated from the heat-sensitive element 9 is greater than the amount of heat dissipated from the heat sensitive element 10, and so the resistance R1 is smaller than the resistance R2 (R1 < R2).

[0042] In Fig. 5, the relations illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 are expressed in terms of the gas flow P_F and an output V₀ from a resistive bridge circuit 24 shown in Fig. 6, the circuit 24 comprising resistances r1 and r2 of reference resistors 25 and 26, respectively, along with the resistances R1 and R2. In regions where the gas flow P_F is small, the resistance R1 of the heat-sensitive element 9 is larger than the resistance R2 of the heat-sensitive element 10 (R1 > R2), and so the output V₀ from the resistive bridge circuit 24 is negative.

[0043] As the gas flow P_F is increased, the output V₀ from the resistive bridge circuit 24 increases. When the gas flow P_F is equal to the given gas flow P_F0, the resistances R1 and R2 are equal. Under this condition, the output V₀ is zero. If the gas flow P_F is increased further (P_F > P_F0), then the output V₀ becomes positive (+).

[0044] Thus, by setting the gas flow P_F to the given gas flow rate P_F0, the sensor 1 does not detect the acceleration (G) in a vertically inclined state but detects only a horizontal angular velocity.

[0045] In Fig. 5, the relation between the bridge circuit output V₀ and the gas flow rate P_F0 is illustrated under the condition that the sensor 1 is placed vertical (at a tilt angle of 90°). Experiment has shown that the relation between the bridge circuit output V₀ and the gas flow rate P_F0 remains unchanged even if the tilt angle is set to any desired value.

[0046] Fig. 6 is a block diagram of main portions of detection means and pump control means of the sensor. In Fig. 6, the detection means 20 is equipped with the resistive bridge circuit 24, an angular velocity converter portion 27, and an angular velocity storage portion 28 to detect angular velocity ω₀ in the horizontal direction. The bridge circuit 24 is driven by an external current source 23.

[0047] The pump control means 21 comprises a comparator portion 29, a pump voltage output portion 30, and a pump voltage setting means 31, for applying the optimum pump voltage V_P to the piezoelectric pump 11 in such a way that the gas flow P_F0 does not permit detection of the acceleration (G) in the direction of roll. The pump control means 21 is activated by an external setting switch 33.

[0048] In the resistive bridge circuit 24, the resistances R1 and R2 of the heat-sensitive elements 9 and 10, respectively, are connected in series. This series combination of the resistances R1 and R2 is connected in parallel with the series combination of the reference resistances r1 and r2.

[0049] The current source 23 (current source I₀) is connected between the resistances R1 and R2 of the bridge circuit 24. A voltage V_X is developed at the junction of the resistances R1 and R2, a voltage V_Y is produced at the junction of the resistances r1 and r2, and the bridge circuit output V₀ (= V_X - V_Y) is taken between the voltages V_X and V_Y.

[0050] The angular velocity converter portion 27 reads angular velocity ω₀ from the angular velocity storage portion 28 and produces an angular velocity signal (ω₀) according to the bridge circuit output V₀. The angular velocity storage portion 28 is composed of a ROM or other memory. Data about the relationship between the bridge circuit output V₀ and the angular velocity ω₀ is stored in the storage portion 28, the data being previously found experimentally or theoretically.

[0051] In this way, the sensor 1 is equipped with detection means 20 which produces an angular velocity signal ω₀ corresponding to the output V₀. Therefore, where the sensor is installed on an object rotating in the horizontal or yaw direction, the angular velocity can be detected.

[0052] The pump control means 21 is started, and outputs an initial pump voltage V_P, when the sensor 1 is first set or reset. For example, the sensor 1 is placed vertically in such a way that the heat generating heat-sensitive resistive element 9 shown in Fig. 1 is located upwardly of element 10.

[0053] The comparator portion 29 is composed of a comparator or other comparison circuit. The comparator portion 29 compares a signal G₀ produced from the detection means 20 with a reference acceleration G_k and supplies a differential signal ΔG₀ (= G₀ - G_k) to the pump voltage output portion 30.

[0054] The pump voltage output portion 30 reads a given correcting voltage value ΔV_P corresponding to the differential signal ΔG₀ in response to the differential signal ΔG₀ from the pump voltage setting portion 31 and produces the pump voltage V_P which is the sum of the aforementioned pump voltage V_P and the read correcting voltage value ΔV_P to drive the piezoelectric pump 11.

[0055] The pump voltage setting portion 31 consists of a ROM or other memory. The given correcting voltage value ΔV_P corresponding to the differential signal ΔG₀ has been previously stored in the pump voltage setting portion 31.

[0056] The value of G_k can be varied by a rheostat in switch 33, and, by varying G_k when the sensor is tilted so that the sensor output ω₀ is zero, the correct pump voltage for the correct gas flow rate can be set.

[0057] Therefore, when the sensor is first set or reset, an adjustment is made so that the pump voltage V_P from the pump control means 21 makes null the acceleration signal ω₀. The pump voltage V_P obtained when the acceleration signal ω₀ is null is stored in the pump voltage setting portion 31 of the pump control means 21. The piezoelectric pump 11 is driven with the stored pump voltage V_P until the next setting, or resetting, is done.

[0058] The gas flow rate P_F which makes null the acceleration signal ω₀ detected by the sensor 1 is essentially determined by the pressure and temperature of the gas such as pressurized nitrogen gas. Where the pressure of the pressurized nitrogen or other gas varies with varying temperature, the pump control means 21 may monitor the pump voltage V_P and the pump current with which the piezoelectric pump 11 is driven, and PLL control may be provided in such a way that the phase assumes a given value according to the varying temperature. The frequency of the pump voltage V_P is then varied to automatically compensate for temperature variations.

[0059] Fig. 7 is a graph illustrating the characteristics of one example of the pump control means of the sensor. It was sealed with nitrogen gas at 5 atm. The tilt angle of the sensor 1 was 90°. The ambient temperature was 25 °C. The pump voltage V_P of the piezoelectric pump 11 was varied to change the gas flow P_F. The output V_o from the resistive bridge circuit 24 responding to the gas flow P_F was measured. The results are shown in Fig. 7.

[0060] When the gas flow P_F was set to the given flow rate P_F0 (= 80 SCCM - standard cc per minute or cm³/min of standard gas at 133.3 Pa, O°C), V_o = 0, the acceleration (G) was not detected. The pump voltage V_P (=V_PS) of the piezoelectric pump 11 which set the gas flow P_F0 to 80 SCCM was 3 V.

[0061] Experiment has shown that this characteristic is affected only a little if the ambient temperature is varied and if the tilt angle of the gas rate sensor 1 is set to any desired angle.

[0062] As described in detail thus far in connection with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a sensor comprising a sensor body, preferably mounted within a container, a detection means for detecting an angular velocity in the direction of yaw by gas flow deflection, and a pump control means for controlling operation of a piezoelectric pump to adjust the gas flow rate. The sensor body may comprise semiconductor substrates on which a pair of heat-generating heat-sensitive resistive elements are formed by photoengraving techniques which are normally used in semiconductor fabrication processes. The heat-sensitive elements may be connected into a substrate bridge. The sensor body forms a pump casing in which a gas passageway is formed, with the pump preferably mounted in the casing. A pressurized gas may be sealed in the container. The pump control means acts to adjust the gas flow rate by controlling the operation of the piezoelectric pump, so that only when an angular velocity is made to act on the sensor body in the direction of yaw is the gas flow deflected. The resulting variations in the resistances of the heat-sensitive elements are electrically detected. Thus, the angular velocity acting in the direction of yaw is detected with high accuracy.

[0063] Also, in the present invention, the detection means may be equipped with a resistive bridge circuit made up of the pair of heat-generating heat-sensitive resistive elements and a pair of reference resistors, so that the angular velocity may be detected as an output that represents the sum of amounts of change of resistances in the heat-sensitive elements which change in mutually opposite directions. Therefore, the angular velocity can be accurately determined from the absolute value of the output from the resistive bridge circuit, and the direction of action of the angular velocity can be determined from the polarity of the output.

Claims

1. An angular velocity sensor (1) comprising:

a sensor body (12) equipped with a pair of heat-generating heat-sensitive resistive elements (9, 10) disposed in a gas passageway (6) in opposed relation to each other;

a pump (11) for creating a gas flow inside said gas passageway (6); and

detection means (20) for producing an output signal in response to variations in resistances of said heat-sensitive elements (9, 10) caused by deflection of said gas flow if an angular velocity acts on said detection means (20),

characterised by

pump control means (21) adapted to adjust said gas flow in such a way that said detection means (20) produces a zero value of said output signal in respect of gravitational acceleration acting on the sensor (1) and corresponding to tilt of the sensor (4) in the direction of roll, wherein said pump control means (21) comprises:

comparison means (29) for comparing an acceleration signal component of said output signal produced from said detecting means (20) with a reference acceleration and for producing a difference signal;

pump voltage setting means (31) for storing voltage values for correcting a pump voltage corresponding to said difference signal for driving said pump (11), and

pump voltage output means (30) for outputting a voltage correcting value corresponding to said difference signal to said pump,

said pump control means (21) controlling the operation of said pump based on said voltage correcting value and automatically setting said pump voltage to such a value that said acceleration signal component produced by said detection means (20) becomes null on initial setting or resetting; wherein said pump control means (21) is adapted to produce a gas flow rate for causing said zero value of said output signal by said detection means (20) by positioning said sensor body (2) tilted at an angle to horizontal form a normal operating position of said sensor body (2) and, while said sensor body (2) is at rest, varying said gas flow to produce a zero value of said output signal.

2. The sensor (1) of claim 1, wherein said detection means (20) comprises a resistive bridge circuit (24) composed of said heat-generating heat-sensitive resistive elements (9, 10) and a pair of resistors (25, 26) having reference resistances.

3. The sensor (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein said detection means comprises:

an angular velocity storage portion (28) for storing angular velocity values corresponding to output values from said detection means (20); and

an angular velocity conversion portion (24) for converting the output from said detection means (20) into a corresponding angular velocity.

4. The sensor (1) of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said pump control means (21) stores a pump voltage that makes null said signal produced from said detection means (20) on initial setting or resetting.

5. The sensor (1) of any preceding claim, wherein if pressure of said pressurised gas is varied with varying ambient temperature, said pump control means (21) estimates the pressure of said pressurised gas from said temperature variation and automatically sets said pump voltage, which makes null said acceleration signal outputted from said detection means (20), according to the estimated pressure.

6. A method of sensing angular velocity by detecting the deflection of a gas flow in a sensor 81) caused by an angular velocity acting on the sensor (1), including the step of monitoring the resistances of resistive elements (9, 10) in the sensor (1) whose resistances change according to the amount of cooling provided by the gas flow, a change in resistance of an element (9, 10) indicating a change in the gas flow over the element (9, 10) and so a deflection of the gas flow, the method being characterised by the step of setting the gas flow rate at a value such that components in the sensor output caused by gravitational effects on the gas flow produced when the sensor (1) is tilted in the roll direction do not exist; the method further including the steps of tilting the sensor (1) in the roll direction, adjusting the gas flow rate until the output from the sensor is zero, determining the gas flow rate when the output is zero, and using this flow rate during normal operation of the sensor (1).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the flow rate is adjusted to take account of variations in the gas pressure caused by temperature changes.

Ansprüche

1. Winkelgeschwindigkeitssensor (1), umfassend:

einen Sensorkörper (12), der mit einem Paar von wärmeerzeugenden,

wärmesensitiven Widerstandselementen (9, 10) ausgestattet ist, die in einem Gasdurchgang (6) einander gegenüberliegend angeordnet sind; eine Pumpe (11) zum Erzeugen eines Gasstroms innerhalb des Gasdurchgangs (6); und

ein Erfassungsmittel (20) zum Erzeugen eines Ausgangssignals in Antwort auf Widerstandswertänderungen der wärmesensitiven Elemente (9, 10), die durch Ablenkung des Gasstroms verursacht werden, wenn auf das Erfassungsmittel (20) eine Winkelgeschwindigkeit wirkt,

gekennzeichnet durch

ein Pumpensteuermittel (21), das ausgelegt ist, um den Gasstrom derart einzustellen, dass das Erfassungsmittel, in Bezug auf die auf den Sensor (1) wirkende und einem Verkippen des Sensors (4) in der Rollrichtung entsprechende Gravitationsbeschleunigung,einen Nullwert des Ausgangssignals erzeugt, worin das Pumpensteuermittel (21) umfasst:

ein Vergleichsmittel (29) zum Vergleichen einer Beschleunigungssignalkomponente des von dem Erfassungsmittel (20) erzeugten Ausgangssignals mit einer Referenzbeschleunigung und zum Erzeugen eines Differenzsignals;

ein Pumpenspannungssetzmittel (31) zum Speichern von Spannungswerten zum Korrigieren einer dem Differenzsignal entsprechenden Pumpenspannung zum Antrieb der Pumpe (11), und

ein Pumpenspannungsausgabemittel (30) zum Ausgeben eines dem Differenzsignal entsprechenden korrigierte Spannungswerts an die Pumpe,

wobei das Pumpensteuermittel (21) den Betrieb der Pumpe auf der Basis des korrigierten Spannungswerts steuert und die Pumpenspannung automatisch auf einen derartigen Wert setzt, dass die von dem Erfassungsmittel (20) erzeugte Beschleunigungssignalkomponente beim anfänglichen Setzen oder Rücksetzen null wird; worin das Pumpensteuermittel (21) dazu ausgelegt ist, eine Gasströmungsrate zu erzeugen, um den Nullwert des Ausgangssignals von dem Erfassungsmittel (20) zu verursachen, indem man den Sensorkörper (2), der aus einer normalen Betriebsstellung des Sensorkörpers (2) mit einem Winkel zur Horizontalen verkippt ist, positioniert und, während der Sensorkörper (2) ruht, die Gasströmungsrate ändert, um einen Nullwert des Ausgangssignals zu erzeugen.

2. Sensor (1) nach Anspruch 1, worin das Erfassungsmittel (20) eine Widerstandsbrückenschaltung (24) aufweist, die aus den wärmeerzeugenden, wärmesensitiven Widerstandselementen (9, 10) und einem Paar von Referenzwiderstandswerte aufweisenden Widerständen (25, 26) aufgebaut ist.

3. Sensor (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, worin das Erfassungsmittel umfasst:

einen Winkelgeschwindigkeitsspeicherteil (28) zum Speichern von Winkelgeschwindigkeitswerten entsprechend Ausgabewerten von dem Erfassungsmittel (20); und

einen Winkelgeschwindigkeitswandlerteil (24) zum Umwandeln der Ausgabe von dem Erfassungsmittel (20) in eine entsprechende Winkelgeschwindigkeit.

4. Sensor (1) nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, worin das Pumpensteuermittel (21) eine Pumpenspannung speichert, die das beim anfänglichen Setzen oder Rücksetzen von dem Erfassungsmittel (20) erzeugte Signal zu null macht.

5. Sensor (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin, wenn sich der Druck des Druckgases mit veränderlicher Umgebungsstemperatur ändert, das Pumpensteuermittel (21) den Druck des Druckgases aus der Temperaturänderung schätzt und die Pumpenspannung, die das von dem Erfassungsmittel (20) ausgegebene Beschleunigungssignal zu null macht, gemäß dem geschätzten Druck automatisch setzt.

6. Verfahren zum Erfassen der Winkelgeschwindigkeit durch Erfassen der Ablenkung eines Gasstroms in einem Sensor (1), die durch eine auf den Sensor (1) wirkende Winkelgeschwindigkeit verursacht wird, umfassend den Schritt, die Widerstandswerte von Widerstandselementen (9, 10) in dem Sensor (1) zu überwachen, deren Widerstandswerte sich gemäß dem durch den Gasstrom erzeugten Abkühlbetrag ändern, wobei eine Widerstandswertänderung eines Elements (9, 10) eine Änderung in dem Gasstrom über dem Element (9, 10) und somit eine Ablenkung des Gasstroms anzeigt, wobei das Verfahren durch den Schritt gekennzeichnet ist, die Gasströmungsrate auf einen derartigen Wert zu setzen, dass Komponenten in der Sensorausgabe, die durch Gravitationseffekte auf den Gassstrom verursacht werden, die entstehen, wenn der Sensor (1) in der Rollrichtung verkippt wird, nicht vorhanden sind; wobei das Verfahren ferner die Schritte umfasst, den Sensor (1) in der Rollrichtung zu kippen, die Gasströmungsrate einzustellen, bis die Ausgabe von dem Sensor null ist, die Gasströmungsrate zu bestimmen, wenn die Ausgabe null ist und diese Strömungsrate während des normalen Betriebs des Sensors (1) zu verwenden.

7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, worin die Strömungsrate unter Berücksichtigung von durch Temperaturänderungen verursachten Gasdruckschwankungen eingestellt wird.

Revendications

1. Capteur de vitesse angulaire (1) comprenant :

un corps de capteur (12) muni d'une paire d'éléments résistifs thermosensibles calorifiques (9, 10) disposés dans un passage de gaz (6) de manière à être opposés l'un par rapport à l'autre ;

une pompe (11) pour créer un flux gazeux à l'intérieur dudit passage de gaz (6) ; et

des moyens de détection (20) pour produire un signal de sortie en réponse à des variations de résistances desdits éléments thermosensibles (9, 10) provoquées par une déviation dudit flux gazeux si une vitesse angulaire agit sur lesdits moyens de détection (20),

   caractérisé par

des moyens de commande de pompe (21) adaptés pour ajuster ledit flux gazeux de telle sorte que lesdits moyens de détection (20) produisent une valeur zéro dudit signal de sortie pour ce qui est de l'accélération gravitationnelle agissant sur le capteur (1) et correspondant à l'inclinaison du capteur dans la direction du roulis, dans lequel lesdits moyens de commande de pompe (21) comprennent :

des moyens de comparaison (29) pour comparer un élément de signal d'accélération dudit signal de sortie produit par lesdits moyens de détection (20) avec une accélération de référence et pour produire un signal de différence ;

des moyens de réglage de tension de pompe (31) pour mémoriser des valeurs de tension afin de corriger une tension de pompe correspondant audit signal de différence pour entraîner ladite pompe (11), et

des moyens de sortie de tension de pompe (30) pour délivrer une valeur de correction de tension correspondant audit signal de différence à ladite pompe,

lesdits moyens de commande de pompe (21) commandant le fonctionnement de ladite pompe basé sur ladite valeur de correction de tension et réglant automatiquement ladite tension de pompe sur une valeur telle que ledit élément de signal d'accélération produit par lesdits moyens de détection (20) devient nul lors du réglage initial ou d'un nouveau réglage ; dans lequel lesdits moyens de commande de pompe (21) sont adaptés pour produire un débit de flux gazeux pour provoquer ladite valeur zéro dudit signal de sortie par lesdits moyens de détection (20) en positionnant ledit corps de capteur (2) incliné à un angle par rapport à l'horizontale à partir d'une position de fonctionnement normale dudit corps de capteur (2) et, tandis que ledit corps de capteur (2) est au repos, en faisant varier ledit flux gazeux pour produire une valeur zéro dudit signal de sortie.

2. Capteur (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits moyens de détection comprennent un circuit en pont résistif (24) composé desdits éléments thermosensibles calorifiques (9, 10) et d'une paire de résistances (25, 26) possédant des résistances de référence.

3. Capteur (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel lesdits moyens de détection comprennent :

une partie de mémorisation de vitesse angulaire (28) pour mémoriser des valeurs de vitesse angulaire correspondant à des valeurs d'entrée à partir desdits moyens de détection (20) ; et

une partie de conversion de vitesse angulaire (24) pour convertir la sortie à partir desdits moyens de détection (20) en une vitesse angulaire correspondante.

4. Capteur (1) selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel lesdits moyens de commande de pompe (21) mémorisent une tension de pompe qui annule ledit signal produit à partir desdits moyens de détection (20) lors du réglage initial ou d'un nouveau réglage.

5. Capteur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel si la pression dudit gaz pressurisé est modifiée en raison d'une température ambiante changeante, lesdits moyens de commande de pompe (21) évaluent la pression dudit gaz pressurisé à partir de ladite variation de température et règlent automatiquement ladite tension de pompe, ce qui annule ledit signal d'accélération délivré à partir desdits moyens de détection (20), selon la pression évaluée.

6. Procédé de détection de vitesse angulaire consistant à détecter la déviation d'un flux gazeux dans un capteur (1) provoquée par une vitesse angulaire agissant sur le capteur (1) comprenant l'étape consistant à surveiller les résistances des éléments résistifs (9, 10) dans le capteur (1) dont les résistances changent selon la quantité de refroidissement produite par le flux gazeux, un changement de la résistance d'un élément (9, 10) indiquant un changement dans le flux gazeux au-dessus de l'élément (9, 10) et donc une déviation du flux gazeux, le procédé étant caractérisé par l'étape consistant à régler le débit de flux gazeux sur une valeur telle que des éléments dans la sortie du capteur provoqués par des effets gravitationnels sur le flux gazeux produits lorsque le capteur (1) est incliné dans la direction du roulis n'existent pas ; le procédé comprenant en outre les étapes consistant à incliner le capteur (1) dans la direction du roulis, ajuster le débit de flux gazeux jusqu'à ce que la sortie à partir du capteur soit zéro, déterminer le débit de flux gazeux lorsque la sortie est zéro et utiliser ce débit de flux gazeux pendant le fonctionnement normal du capteur (1).

7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le flux gazeux est ajusté pour tenir compte des variations de la pression gazeuse provoquées par des changements de température.

Drawing